On April 10, Saskatchewan’s government tabled its budget for the year and there was very little good news in it for the province’s restaurateurs.
While there were no new tax increases and a 1.4 per cent decrease in expenditures, the massive 6 per cent increase to restaurant meals from last year’s budget remains. Last year’s liquor mark-up increases have also been left in place.
Throughout the past year the province’s foodservice industry suffered a 4.5 per cent decline in sales and shed 1,700 jobs.
Restaurants Canada continues to work with the Saskatchewan government to find ways to help the province’s restaurant industry return to positive sales and employment growth.
The province forecasted a $365 million deficit for the year and a $6 million surplus in 2019-2020.